Haire admits to touching 12-year-old girl

Tuesday

Mar 12, 2013 at 8:23 AMMar 12, 2013 at 8:23 AM

By Matt Durr

matt.durr@hillsdale.netHILLSDALE — A 22-year-old Hillsdale man accused of sticking his hands down the pants of a 12-year-old girl pled guilty to one count of second degree criminal sexual conduct Monday in Hillsdale County Circuit Court.

Jacob Nathaniel Haire admitted to Judge Michael Smith that he touched the girl for his own sexual gratification, but also said he was joking with the girl prior to violating her person.

“What were you doing with a 12-year-old girl?” Smith asked during an arraignment Monday.

Haire said he was watching television and “hanging out” with the girl and her 13-year-old sister, who was not in the room at the time he touched the younger girl. Haire also admitted to dating the two girls’ older sister, and that’s why he was at the home at the time. He said that his actions started out in a joking manner, but after being grilled by Smith, he admitted touching her for sexual reasons.

As part a plea bargain, another count of third degree criminal sexual conduct currently in the Hillsdale County District Court will be dropped and no further charges will be sought in the case. He will also not be charged as a habitual offender.

In the district court case, Haire was accused of having sex with the 13-year-old girl, a claim that he denied in court Monday.

Last year in Jackson County, he was also charged with third degree criminal sexual conduct, but that charge was dismissed in November.

Haire will be sentenced on April 22 at 8:30 a.m. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, lifetime electronic supervision, mandatory registration as a sexual offender and medical testing for AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and DNA.